Eric Roe is an American politician serving as a member of the Chester County Board of Commissioners since 2023. A Republican, he also served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 158th district from 2017 to 2018.

Eric Roe
Member of the Chester County
Board of Commissioners
Assumed office
December 30, 2023 (2023-12-30)
Preceded byMichelle Kichline
Member of the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 158th district
In office
January 3, 2017 (2017-01-03) – November 30, 2018 (2018-11-30)
Preceded byL. Chris Ross
Succeeded byChristina Sappey
Personal details
Born (1987-10-15) October 15, 1987 (age 37)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAlice
Children4
ResidenceWest Bradford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Alma materAmerican University
Websitehttp://www.ericroe.org

Early life

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Roe is the son of QVC host Mary Beth Roe. He graduated from American University with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2010 and also has a master's degree in public policy from University College London. He served at the Republican National Committee in Washington from 2009 to 2011 and was a staffer for Michael Steele. Roe and his wife, Alice, both volunteer with Chester County Women's Services. He worked as an administrative assistant until 2017.[1]

Electoral career

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Pennsylvania House of Representatives

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2016 election

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In April 2016, he won a write-in primary for state representative.[2] In October, the Chairman of the Chester County Democratic Party filed voter fraud charges against Roe claiming he did not meet the residency requirements, as he leased an apartment in Washington, D.C. as recently as 2013.[3] However, a judge dismissed the charges. In the 2016 election, he received 17,617 votes or 53.2% of the vote, defeating Susan Rzucidlo.[4]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 158, 2016[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eric Roe 17,634 52.97
Democratic Susan Rzucidlo 15,590 46.83
Write-in 65 0.20
Total votes 33,289 100.00
Republican hold

2018 election

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In 2018, Roe filed to run for re-election. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and faced Democrat Christina Sappey in the general election.[6] In the election, Roe lost his seat to Sappey, 46% to 54%. He was one of 11 incumbents in the Delaware Valley to lose their seats.[7]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 158, 2018[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Christina Sappey 15,641 53.40
Republican Eric Roe (incumbent) 13,628 46.52
Write-in 24 0.08
Total votes 29,293 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

2020 election

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On November 15, 2019, Roe announced he would seek a rematch against Sappey to regain his former seat.[9] Both Roe and Sappey were unopposed in their respective primaries. Sappey once again defeated Roe by a margin of 485 votes.[10]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 158, 2020[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Christina Sappey (incumbent) 19,294 50.61
Republican Eric Roe 18,776 49.25
Write-in 52 0.14
Total votes 38,122 100.00
Democratic hold

Chester County Board of Commissioners

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2023 election

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In November 2022, Roe announced his candidacy for the 2023 Chester County Board of Commissioners election.[12] Shortly after, incumbent Republican commissioner Michelle Kichline announced she would not seek reelection.[13] In the four candidate race, Roe secured a seat as the minority member of the board, finishing third in voting behind Democrats Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz.[14]

Chester County Board of Commissioners, 2023[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Maxwell (incumbent) 87,869 28.89
Democratic Marian Moskowitz (incumbent) 86,042 28.29
Republican Eric Roe 68,343 22.47
Republican David C. Sommers 61,752 20.30
Write-in 122 0.04
Total votes 304,128 100.00
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ Rellahan, Michael (December 15, 2015). "West Goshen man seeks endorsement for 158th seat". Daily Local News. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  2. ^ Rellahan, Michael (April 27, 2016). "Roe is apparent winner in 158th write-in contest". Daily Local News. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  3. ^ McGann, Mike (October 27, 2016). "Democrats charge Roe with voter fraud over residency". Unionville Times. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "Pennsylvania 158th District State House Results: Eric Roe Wins". New York Times. August 1, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  5. ^ "Official Results: 2016 General Election". Chester County Voter Services. December 19, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  6. ^ Rettew, Bill (October 23, 2018). "Roe, Sappey battle for 158th state House seat". Daily Local News. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  7. ^ Kopp, John (November 7, 2018). "In Pa. legislature, at least 11 Philly-area incumbents lose". www.phillyvoice.com. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  8. ^ "Official Results: 2018 General Election". Chester County Voter Services. November 16, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  9. ^ "Eric Roe to Seek Rematch for 158th House District Seat". MyChesCo. November 15, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  10. ^ Samuel, Jen (November 10, 2020). "Sappey wins race to keep 158th House District seat, defeats Roe by 485 votes". Daily Local News. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  11. ^ "Official Results: 2020 General Election". Chester County Voter Services. November 23, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  12. ^ "Roe to enter race for Chester County Commissioner | Chester County Press". www.chestercounty.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Stein, Linda (December 2, 2022). "Chester County Commissioner Kichline Not Running for Another Term". DV Journal. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  14. ^ "Roe elected as County Commissioner | Chester County Press". www.chestercounty.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Results: 2023 General Election". Chester County Voter Services. May 13, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.